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Assessment: The Use of Rubrics in Grades 7-12
Discover how rubrics can empower parents to support their middle and high school students' education effectively. Explore practical strategies for understanding and using rubrics in grades 7-12.

As parents, we play a crucial role in our children's educational journey, especially during their middle and high school years. To support their academic success, we must understand the tools educators use to assess and guide their students' progress. This article delves into the world of rubrics and how they can empower parents in grades 7-12 to be active partners in their children's education.

The Importance of Rubrics in Grades 7-12

Rubrics are not just grading tools but windows into your child's learning experience. We'll explore why rubrics are essential for assessing academic and soft skills development, helping you gain insights into your child's progress in various subjects.

What is a rubric?

A rubric is a structured scoring guide or set of criteria used to evaluate or assess performance, work, or a particular task. It provides a clear and systematic way to measure the quality or level of achievement in a given context, such as in education, grading assignments projects, or assessing various skills.

The use of rubrics dates back to ancient times, with the term "rubric" originating from the Latin word "ruber," which means red. In ancient Rome and medieval Europe, teachers and religious leaders often used red ink or red lines to highlight important text or instructions within documents or manuscripts. Over time, this practice evolved into using red ink or markings to indicate specific grading criteria and guidelines for assessments.

However, as we understand them today, the modern concept of rubrics developed more significantly in

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The Evolution of School Choice

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The Evolution of School Choice
Explore the history and evolution of school choice, focusing on vouchers. This article provides an in-depth analysis of vouchers' origins, growth, benefits, and criticisms as part of the broader school choice movement, along with a look at current trends and future outlook.

A timeline is helpful when dealing with a controversial issue such as school vouchers. But before we do that, what are vouchers?

EdChoice describes vouchers as:

"School vouchers give parents the freedom to choose a private school for their children, using all or part of the public funding set aside for their children's education. Under such a program, funds typically spent by a school district would be allocated to a participating family in the form of a voucher to pay partial or full tuition for their child's private school, including both religious and non-religious options."

You will hear vouchers called various names, such as parental choice, education grants, scholarships, and tuition grants, to list but a few of the names you will encounter for vouchers. According to the Education Commission of the States, Sixteen states and the District of Columbia currently offer 27 voucher programs.

This TEDxICC talk is entitled School Choice: The Next Frontier In Civil Rights.

Introduction to School Choice

School choice is a term that encompasses various alternatives to traditional public schools, including charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, and vouchers. The concept has deep historical roots and continues to be a vital part of contemporary education policy.

Early 20th Century: Origins and Early Models

The idea of educational vouchers was first proposed by economist Milton Friedman in 1955. He suggested

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Admissions Matters: Following Up, The Competition, & Deadlines

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Admissions Matters: Following Up, The Competition, & Deadlines
Navigating the complex landscape of private high school admissions requires expertise and insight. This article delves into essential areas that every school should master: inquiry follow-up, standing out in a competitive market, and choosing between rolling admissions and fixed admissions deadlines.

Navigating the complex landscape of private high school admissions requires expertise and insight. This article delves into essential areas that every school should master:

  • Inquiry follow-up
  • Standing out in a competitive market
  • Choosing between rolling admissions and fixed admissions deadlines

Discover effective strategies for personalized inquiry follow-ups that engage prospective families. Learn how to differentiate your school from competitors by identifying your unique selling points. Understand the implications of choosing rolling admissions or a fixed admissions deadline and what it means for your school's operations and appeal. Whether you are an admissions professional or a school leader, this article provides actionable insights to elevate your admissions process.

Inquiry Follow-up

Personalized Email Response

Acknowledge each inquiry with a personalized email response. Address the person by their name and answer any specific questions they might have asked. If they didn't ask any specific questions, briefly introduce the school and what it offers.

Regular Newsletters

Send regular newsletters about the school's activities, achievements, and updates. These could also include student testimonials, information about the faculty, and details about the curriculum. It's an excellent way to keep prospective students and parents engaged.

Phone Follow-Up

If the inquirer has provided a phone number, make a personal call after sending an initial email. Your call gives a personal touch and can help answer any immediate questions the person may have.

Virtual Information Sessions

Virtual information sessions can effectively give a more detailed overview of the school's offerings. Invite the inquirers to these sessions, where they

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When Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?

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When Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?
This comprehensive article explores the benefits of early identification, individualized education plans, and data-driven decision-making to support children's development and successful school transition.

As parents, we face critical decisions shaping our children's educational journey. One of the challenging choices is whether to have our child repeat kindergarten or move forward despite having a birthday near the usual cut-off date. This article delves into the pros and cons of repeating kindergarten for children with cusp birthdays, aiming to assist parents in making informed decisions that best support their child's academic and emotional development.

PROS of Repeating Kindergarten for Cusp Birthday Children

Academic Readiness

Repeating kindergarten provides children additional time to develop essential pre-academic skills, ensuring they are adequately prepared for future learning. These skills may include letter recognition, basic numeracy, fine motor skills, and language development. The extra year can also foster a love for learning, setting a positive tone for the rest of their academic journey.

Emotional and Social Development

Younger children in the classroom might struggle to keep up emotionally and socially with their older peers. By repeating kindergarten, cusp birthday children can build confidence and social skills at a more appropriate pace. They can mature emotionally, enhancing their ability to navigate social interactions and adapt to the school environment effectively.

Leadership and Confidence

Being among the eldest in the class can naturally lead to opportunities for cusp birthday children to take on leadership roles. These roles can help boost their self-confidence and overall development. As they interact with younger classmates, they might act as role models and develop valuable mentoring skills.

Reducing Academic Pressure

The decision to

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Reggio Emilia: An Interview with Loris Malaguzzi

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Reggio Emilia: An Interview with Loris Malaguzzi
Discover the Reggio Emilia approach, a revolutionary educational philosophy that empowers children to become active participants in their own learning. Learn about its core principles, holistic development benefits, teacher and parent roles, and how you can support this approach at home.

In this article, I do an imaginary interview with another of my early childhood education heroes, Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the movement known as the Reggio Emilia Approach.

I know that you will find Signor Malaguzzi's answers helpful as you explore your options for preschool and kindergarten. In this interview, we delve into the essence of the Reggio Emilia approach, its underlying principles, and how it can nurture the development of your young ones. Let's gain valuable insights directly from the source and embark on a journey of exploration with Loris Malaguzzi.

Rob: What inspired you to develop the Reggio Emilia approach, and what are its core principles?

Loris Malaguzzi: The inspiration behind the Reggio Emilia approach stemmed from the dire need for a new educational model in the aftermath of World War II. Our primary aim was to create an environment where children could thrive, express themselves, and construct their knowledge. Our approach emphasizes the belief in the immense potential of children and their capability to shape their learning. Fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia approach include:

a) Image of the child: We view children as strong, competent, and curious, with the right to actively participate in their education.

b) Emergent curriculum: Learning is driven by children's interests, questions, and discoveries. Teachers guide the exploration and investigations based on the children's inquiries.

c) Collaboration and community: We believe in the power of collaboration between children, teachers, and parents, fostering a sense of community and

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